Pau d’arco

(Lapachu or Taheebo) (Tabebuia heptaphylla) – Pau d’arco is a South American heb which, internally, fights bacterial and viral infections; cleanses the blood; and is useful for AIDS, cancer, tumors, ulcers, candidiasis, smoker’s cough, allergies, cardiovascular problems, inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatism, and all types of infection. Only the inner bark is used. It has similar antibiotic and anti-cancer properties to chaparral, but is less harsh.

Passionflower (halaman ng pasyonflawer in tagalog)

(Passifloria incarnate) Part used: Plant and flower. Properties: Antispasmodic, sedative, diaphoretic. What it affects: Nerves and circulation.

Preparation and amount: Internally, Passionflower is most commonly used for nervous conditions-such as restlessness, insomnia, nervous headaches, and hysteria. It is normally used with other herbs as part of a prolonged treatment. It is helpful for anxiety, neuritis, and stress-related disorders. It is used for nervousness in children, such as muscle twitching and irritability. In the elderly, it is good for nerve debility and sciatica. It has a gentle sedative effect and helps reduce blood pressure.

• Passionflower is also used for hiccups, spasms, coughs, eye tension, convulsions, and back tension. It is used for headaches, fever, and reduced pulse during high fevers. It stimulates perspiration.

Note: Some herbalist recommend that you only use professionally prepared herbal medications.

 
Warning: Passionflower should not be taken during pregnancy, since it may cause uterine stimulation.

Parsley (kintchay in tagalog)

(Petroselinum sativum) Part used: Root used: Root, leaves, seeds. Properties: Nutritive, diuretic, carminative, expectorant, nervine, tonic. What it affects: Kidneys, bladder, stomach, liver, and gallbladder.

Preparation and amount: Infusion (leaves): Steep 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 2-3 times daily. Decoction (root and seeds): Simmer 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 2-3 times daily. Tincture: Take 30-60 drops (1/2 – 1 tsp.) 2-3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 2 oz. 2 times daily. Powder: Take 2-5 #0 capsules (10-30 grains) several times daily.

Purposes: Internally, parsley tea (especially that made from the seeds, leaves, and also the fresh juice) is used for dropsy, asthma, coughs, and suppressed or difficult menstruation. The root is good for jaundice. It is excellent for difficult urination, stones, and obstructions of the liver and spleen. It helps the function of the thyroid. The leaves have repeatedly been used for bladder infections, especially when taken with equal parts of Echinacea and marshmallow root. However, parsley is a warning herb; so it is best avoided during acute infections and inflammations, especially in the kidneys. It expels worms, relieves gas, and freshens breath.

• A few slices of parsley root, cooked in soup, will strengthen weak or sensitive persons. The fresh juice of the leaves (2 oz. daily in apple juice) is an excellent blood tonic and remedy for simple anemia. It is good for bed-wetting, fluid retention, high blood pressure, indigestion, obesity, and prostate disorders. The root can be prepared as a decoction, in combination with dandelion, chicory, and burdock, making a total of 1 oz. of roots per pint of water simmered for about 1 hour.

• Parsley contains a substances that prevents the spread of cancer cells. In addition, the high chlorophyll content of the leaves makes this herb very useful in treating cancer. The seeds contain apiol, which is considered a safe and efficient emmenagogue, used for amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. Combine it with buchu, cramp bark, and black haw for female problems. It is good to drink the fresh juice daily.

 
Externally, parsley juice has been used successfully in treating conjunctivitis and inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis).

Oregon Grape Root (Oregon ubas na ugat in tagalog)

(Berberis aquifolium) Part used: Root. Properties: Alternative, antiseptic, cholagogue, laxative, tonic. What it affects: Liver, stomach, intestines, blood, and skin.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Simmer 10 min. Take 3 oz. 3 times daily. Decoction: Steep 10 min. Take 3 oz. 3 times daily (before meals, made fresh each day). Tincture: Take 30-60 drops (1/2 - 1 tsp.) 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-5 capsules (15-30 grains) several times a day.

Purposes: Internally, Oregon grape root stimulates the secretion of bile. In this way, it aids in digestion and is a good blood purifier. It cleanses the liver. By stimulating the liver and gallbladder, it helps to overcome constipation.

• Although almost identical to barberry in its action, Oregon grape root affects the liver more strongly and stimulates the thyroid. It is a tonic for all the glands and helps the assimilation of nutrients. Its antiseptic qualities favorably affect the kidneys.

• Oregon grape root is useful in the treatment of all skin diseases which are due to toxins in the blood. This includes psoriases, eczema, herpes, and acne. It is also used in treating bronchial congestion, hepatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Its mild antiseptic effects makes it useful in douches for vaginitis. It acts as a laxative.

Note: Oregon grape root on the body in a manner quite similar to goldenseal and barberry. It is good for chronic skin problems, including acne, eczema, herpes, and psoriases.

Onion (bawang in tagalog)

(Allium cepa) Part used: Bulb. Properties: Anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, stomachic, tonic. What it affects: Digestive tract, other internal organs, blood.

Preparation and amount: Juice: Take 1 tsp. 3-4 times a day. Cold extract: Soak a chopped onion in 1 cup of water for 24 hours and strain. Take ½ cup daily. Decoction: Boil a medium-size, chopped onion in a little more than a cup of water until 1 cup of liquid remains. Take 1 Tbsp. several times a day for several days.

Purposes: Internally, onion juice is most often used as a diuretic or expectorant. But it has been used, for ages, for worms and spasms. It expels gas, is a general tonic, and tones the stomach. As an antiseptic, it helps to eliminate putrefaction and fermentation processes in the gastro-intestinal tract. It helps strengthen the heart and lower blood pressure. Mixed with honey, onion juice is good for hoarseness and cough.

Externally, onion juice can be placed on suppurating wounds.

 
Warning: A California research study of volunteers found that onion oil, used heavily over a period of time, will cause very serious iron anemia.